Button onto second Honda engine in Shanghai

X (Twitter)X (Twitter)
FacebookFacebook
WhatsappWhatsapp

Honda’s head of F1 project Yusuke Hasegawa has confirmed that McLaren driver Jenson Button will have to use a second internal combustion engine (ICE) during this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The Briton reported unusual noises on his power unit in Bahrain, with Button ultimately forced into retirement on lap seven of the Sakhir race. Honda initially told F1i the root of the problem was unknown and sent the engine back to Japan for analysis.

F1 drivers are only allowed five entire power units across the 2016 season, though engine suppliers can fit older elements (ICE, MGU-H, MGU-K, turbine, etc.) on a new unit in a mix-and-match system.

“There was a mechanical issue on Jenson's ICE, which we will replace for the upcoming race weekend,” Hasegawa said. “The situation has been thoroughly investigated, and will be rectified in all future engines to be used.”

This is another setback for Honda, which already had to change Fernando Alonso’s power unit after his heavy Melbourne crash. The Japanese manufacturer still takes comfort from the progress shown by its package over the first two grands prix, though it remains braced for Shanghai International Circuit’s immense back straight.

“As we saw from Stoffel [Vandoorne]'s pace in Bahrain, we have surely come a long way since last year. We still need a bit more overall package performance to tackle the long, one-kilometre straight in Shanghai, but it’s reassuring to know that we’re heading in the right direction.”

PROFILE: Paddy Lowe, the pioneer

Sergio Perez exclusive interview: Time to be a driving force

Eric Silbermann ponders the outcome of the qualifying format row

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Antonelli feeling the love from Tifosi despite Ferrari pull

Kimi Antonelli will make his F1 debut with Mercedes, but that hasn’t stopped Italy’s passionate…

13 hours ago

Russell's bold claim: Five laps will tell Mercedes ‘2025 story

George Russell heads into the 2025 Formula 1 season with a new sense of responsibility…

14 hours ago

Leclerc weighs in on mandatory pitstop plan for Monaco GP

For decades, the Monaco Grand Prix has been the crown jewel of the Formula 1…

16 hours ago

A toast to Niki and to an enduring legacy

The great Niki Lauda would have celebrated his 76th birthday on this day, and the…

17 hours ago

D’Ambrosio highlights stark contrast between Ferrari and Mercedes

Since stepping into his role as Ferrari’s deputy team principal last October, Jerome d’Ambrosio has…

18 hours ago

Bearman recalls driving test gaffe: ‘We don’t have stop signs in F1'

Oliver Bearman is undeniably a rising star in Formula 1, but his journey to earning…

19 hours ago